A 26-year-old man is in police custody after a daring daylight attempt to steal a Ghana Police Service armoured vehicle at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region.
The suspect, identified as Ebenezer Frimpong, was arrested following a dramatic chase involving officers of a SWAT team along the Abuakwa–Kumasi stretch.
According to preliminary police reports, the incident occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, near the Nkawie Market.
Police say the armoured vehicle, with registration number GP 1131, was being transported by a service driver, Lance Corporal Joshua Denkyi of the Formed Police Unit, from Nkawie to the Regional Police Workshop in Kumasi for routine servicing.
The driver reportedly parked briefly to purchase medication from a nearby pharmacy and left the engine running. During that moment, the suspect allegedly jumped into the vehicle and drove off, leaving bystanders and the officer stunned.
An alarm was immediately raised, triggering a swift response from the Ashanti Regional Police Command.
A seven-member SWAT patrol team was dispatched and pursued the vehicle for nearly 30 minutes before successfully intercepting it at Mim, near Abuakwa, where the suspect was arrested.
The stolen armoured vehicle has since been retrieved and secured as an exhibit, while the suspect remains in police custody, assisting with ongoing investigations.
Authorities say the suspect has been transferred to the Ashanti Regional Criminal Investigations Department for further interrogation, as preparations are underway to arraign him before court.
The incident has drawn widespread public attention due to the bold nature of the attempt, highlighting the need for strict adherence to operational safety protocols when handling security vehicles.
By paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
